Machine for affixing and printing tags.



C. W. BROWN.

MACHINE FOR AFFIXING AND PRINTING TAGS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE I4. 1915.

1 Patented June 19, 1917.

6 SHE ETS-SHEET 1.

lfivenifior:

C. W. BROWN.

MACHINE FOR AFFIXING AND PRINHNG TAGS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE l4, I915.

- Patented June 19, 1917.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

C. W. BROWN.

MACHINE FOR AFFIXING AND PRINTING TAGS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 14, I915- Patented June 19, 1917.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

C. W. BROWN.

MACHINE FOR AFFIXING AND PRINTING TAGS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE I4. I915.

1,230,107. Patented June 19, 1917.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

C. W. BROWN.

MACHINE FOR AFFIXING AND PRINTING TAGS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE I4, 1915 Patented June 19, 1917.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5- ms mm.

rumm W c. w'. BROWN.

MACHINE FOR AFFIXING AND PRINTING TAGS. APPLICATION FILED JUNE l4. I9I5. 1 23OJ7= PatentedJune 19, 1917.

9 6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

Jim/626507 $735070 26% Bmawv,

ran srarns rare CARLTON W. BROWN, F GROTON, CONNECTICUT.

.macrmm FQB Armxme AND rnlmnvo raos.

resoaov.

Groton', in the county of New London and State of Connecticut, have invented an Improvement in Machines for Afiixing and Printing Tags, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like numerals on the drawings representing like parts.

The present invention relates to a machine for attaching and printing identifying tags such as those used in connection with laundry work, in which tags are atfixed to the goods before the goods are washed. The machine may obviously be utilized for afiixing tags for other purposes; and provision is also made. whereby the means for attaching the tags can be thrown out of operation and the machine used for printing identifying marks directly on the goods themselves. ihe machine is especially intended for use in connection with laundry tags produced by ,a machine invented by me on which I have filed an application dated May 19, 1915, Serial Numher 29,235, in which the tags are manufac tured in the form of a continuous strip which'is adapted to be cut into the separate tags, the machine embodying the present invention being provided with means whereby the ta s are cut from the strip before they are a xed. to the goods and printed. It is not essential to the invention, however, that the tags should be prepared and fed to the machine in this way.

The machine embodying the invention is provided with a printing plunger which is adapted to be reciprocated inthe operation of the machine so asto be brought into contact with the material which is fed to the- Specification of Eetters Patent.

Patented June is, rare.

Application filed time it, 1915. serial restore.

ink distributing device at each operation. In conjunction with the printingplunger the machine is provided with means for attaching tags to the goods, the attaching and printing means operating together, the former consisting of clenching plungers ar- 1 ranged to engage the fastening devices connected with the tags and force the prongs thereof through the goods and clench the fastening prongs with which the tags are provided.

At the time of o eration, the printing plunger-and the a ,xing plungers are in line with each other so that the all operate simultaneously on the tag, orcin the prongs into the goods and making the identifying mark on the tag between the sets of prongs at the same time.

The tags are furnished to the machine with the fastening prongs lying in the same. plane with the tag itself, and the machine is provided with means for bending the said prongs at a right angle, and subsequently delivering the tag to the goods with the prongs projecting'toward the said goods.

The carrier for the tags is arranged to travel intermittingly and is provided with a series of pockets adapted to receivethe tags, the operations on which are performed by reciprocating members adapted to enter the saidpockets from either end. In the construction shown, in which the tags are fed to the machine in a continuous ribbon, the carrier which contains the pockets is rotatable, and the periphery thereof is wider than the pockets and is provided with laterally extending recesses adapted to contain the prongs, the said recesses being at opposite sides of the pockets so that each tag is supported by the prongs above one of the pockets.

The plungersawhich operate on the tags are mounted on a reciprocating frame, the clenching and printing plungers which have beenmentioned, being within the carrier so as to enter the pocket from the inside. The frame is also provided with a cutting and bending plunger outside of the carrier, so as to enter a pocket from the'outside. The pockets are provided at their ends with cutco P a view similar to Fig. 7 but showing the has traveled a half revolution the pocket containing the tag will be in the path of the printing and clenching plungers which are inside of the carrier, so that in entering the pocket they eject, clench and print the-tag. At each operation of the reciprocating frame, therefore, the plungers thereon enter respectively a pocket at one point of the carrier and a ocket diametrically opposite, thereby cuttin and shapin one tag, and printing and c enching anot er at each operation.

The intermittent feed of the carrier wheel is provided for by the movement of the reciprocating frame, so that. the feed takes place during the last part of the return movement of said frame, after the vplungers have receded from' the pockets. The ma chine is, however, provided with simple means for detaching or disconnecting the feed mechanism so that the machine can be used for printing only, if tags are to be dispensed with.

A further feature of the invention consists in providing the machine with multi 1e printing plungers adjustable with relation to each other, so that different combinations of characters can be easily provided for without changing type; it-being also racticable, however, to provide a single p unger with means whereby detachable type can be set therein.

The invention relates further to details of construction and arrangement which will be hereinafter more fully described.

Figure 1 is a rear elevation ofamachine embodying the invention with the inclosing case andsome other parts broken away and shown in section; Fig. 2 is a detail ;in front elevation showing the ink distributing mechanism; Fig. 3 is a partial front elevation;

, Fig. t is a side elevation partly in section;

Fig.- 5 is a detail in side elevation showing the ink distributing mechanism; Fig. 6 is a vertical section showing the parts in a different position from that shown in Fig. 4;; Fig. 7 1s a detail in rear elevation showing the carrier feed mechanism in a position different from that shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is feed mechanism disconnected; Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the carrierand its bearing frame; Fig. 10 is a plan view of the car-- rier detached, showing a portion of a strip of tags thereon; Fig. 11 is a detail'to be hereinafter referred to; Fig. 12 is a vertical section showing the reciprocating plunger frame in its-relation to the carrier; Fig. 13

- is a similar view showing the plungers in the opposite position anda 0 showing a modified form of the printing plunger; and Fig. 14 is a detail showing an end view of the modified printing plunger together with the parts which cooperate with it.

In the following description of the machine embodying the invention the machine which is shown in the drawings will be described in detail, as designed especially for use in connection with tags which are fed to the machine in a continuous strip and cut irito individual tags by this machine itself. It isto be un'derstood,however, that the machine can be otherwise used, and has novel features in connection with the printing and affixing of tags which can be individually used if desired, and that the machine is also capable of use with individual tags; so that the invention is not limited to the specific design which involvesfeatures which make the machine especially adaptable for use with ta 5 produced by the here- I machine invented by I which is adapted to be moved intermittingly so as to carry forward a continuous strip 2 of fabric having fastening devices attached thereto, thus constituting a line of connected tags which are adapted to be separated into individual tags and separately afiixed to the fabric and at the same time printed or other- ,wise marked with distinguishing characters.

Each tag is provided with a pair of laterally pro ecting prongs 5 near each end, as

best shown in Fig, 10, in which a strip of tags is shown in place on the carrier.

The carrier, which is shown as in the form of a rotatable annulus, is provided with a series of pockets 3' which open entirely through the said annulus, each pocket being adapted to receive and forward a tag after it has been cut and inserted in the pocket by means of a reciprocating cutting and bending plunger 4 which is adapted to be moved into a pocket from the outside of the carrier. while tlvcarrier is stationary hetween intermittent feed movements. The same plunger operates to bend up the histeni-ng prongs 5 (see Fig. 9) so that the said prongs will stand at a right angle to the-surface of the tags to pierce-the fabric to which.

the tags are to be connected and then to be rier 1 is mounted in a rame 6, and lies in anannular undercut recess 7 in said frame which constitutes a bearing in which the carrier is adapted to travel. .Exte'nding around the outer surface of the carrier is an annular channel 8 (Fig. 10) which is adapted to receive the strip 2, the pockets 3 extending through the carrier from the bottom of said channel. At the sides of the said channel above the pockets are transverse grooves 8 which receive the prongs 5 as the strip of tags is fed to the machine through an opening 9 in the frame into which they are guided by a roll 10, Fig. 9. Each pockethas these lateral grooves above it at opposite ends, so that each tag will be supported above one of the pockets with the lateral prongs lying in said channels. The frame above the channel is provided with a rib S projecting slightly into the channel to prevent the fastening prongs from riding up out of the grooves. When, therefore, one of the pockets stops underneath the plunger 4 and the said plunger moves toward the carrier, the end thereof will enter the pocket, engaging the tag which then overlies the said pocket cutting it at the ends and forcing it inward and causing the prongs 5 to be bent up as best shown at the right hand side of Fig. 9. Each pocket is shown asprovided at the sides .with vertical channels 8 wh' h receive the bent up prongs, thus leaving the tag in the pocket with the prongs projecting outwardly in the said channels 8. The ends of the plunger are provided with cutting edges, while the ends of the pocket also constitute cutting edges, for the purpose of severing the individual tag from the strip.

The tag thus formed with projecting prongs is subsequently fastened to the material to be identified by means of a pair of clenching plungers 13 which may be and preferably are connected with the cutting and bending plunger 4 so as to be operated simultaneously therewith. These plungers operate at a part of the carrier which is diametrically opposite the plunger 4 so that they enter the pocket from the opposite direction and act on what was originally the under side of the tag. In this operation, therefore, the tag is forced out of the pocket with the prongs projecting forward 'sothat they are forced into. the material which is fed to the machine at a point below the carrier as best shown in Fig. 12. Below the plungers 13 the machine is provided with a stationary anvil 14 having curved indentations 15 which act upon the prongs and cause the same to be clenched against the under side of the material. Between the indentations is a fiat surface 14 preferably of hard rubber, which aifords a support or plate for the goods which are being printed. In connection with the clenching plungers 13 the machine is provided with a printing plunger 16 which is adapted to lie between the plungers 13 so as to come in contact with the material and make an impression thereon simultaneously with the action of they aiiixing plungers. This printing plunger which, as hereinafter described, is provided with printing characters, is arrangedto be inkedat each operation by means of an inking roller 17 which is adapted to be supplied with ink from an ink distributing mechanism 18, the construction of which will be more fully hereinafter described.

The reciprocating plungers which are mounted in a suitable framework are adapted ope'rate the reciprocating member are secured thereto at opposite sides as best shown in Fig. 1 the said rods having hook shaped portions 22 (Fig. 4) which engage studs 23 at opposite sides ofthe reciprocating member and are connected by means of hooks 24 with the springs 20. v

The upper plunger 4 is provided at its ends, as above stated, with cutting edges 25 which cooperate with the ends of the pockets in severing the tag as best shown in Fig. S). As best shown in Fig. 9, there is a piece of waste material between tags, and in order to dispose of this waste the frame adjacent to the plunger guide is provided witha channel 26, the lower surface of Which inclines toward the periphery of the carrier so that it engages the end of the strip from which the previous tag has been severed, whereby the said waste end is discharged from the machine as shown in the drawing.

In order that the plunger 4 may be replaced when the cutting edges thereof become dull, the said plunger is shown as detachably secured as by screws 4: to the reciprocating frame 12. The cutting edges at the ends of the pockets 3 moreover, are formed in separate pieces 3 the shape of which is shown in perspective, Fig. 11, these pieces beingadapted to be removably insorted in the carrier between adjacent pockets as indicated in Fig. 9. All the parts which have cutting edges, therefore, can be removed and sharpened or replaced without difficulty.

The printing plunger 16 is pivoted at 28 to the reciprocating frame 12, and is provided with an extension 29 which is connected by means of a spring 30 with a por tion of the frame 12, the said spring being herein shown as connected with the stud 23, (see Figs. 4 and 6).

' ed, as best shown in Fig. 9. The rods which The tendency of said spring is to swing the said plunger laterally from the position shown in Fig. 4 to the position shown in Fig. 6 so that when the reciprocating mem her is depressed to affix and print the tag, the printing plunger-will lie between the clenching plungers, so as to'engage the surface of the tag between the fastening de vices while the prongs are being pushed the agency of the inking roller 17 is brought about by the swinging movement of the plunger to the position shown in Fig. 4,

i which movement is caused by the action of stationary stops 31 which are pivotally supported on rods 31 which extend across the.

frame parallel to the reciprocating member. These stops normally stand in the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the pivotal supports being for a purpose to be hereinafter de-' scribed. The printing plunger has lateral extensions 32 at opposite sides of its pivotal support which engage the said stops in the upward movement, of the frame 12, thus rocking the said plunger to the position shown in Fig. 4. This rocking movement is transmitted through an arm 33 to a pivoted support 34' for the inking roller 17, the arm 33 having a pin 35 which engages a slot 36 in the pivoted member 34. -The said member 34 is pivoted at 37 'upon the frame 12;

and as the said frame moves upward, with-' drawing the printing plunger from the stop 31, the said printing plunger under the influence of-the spring 30 moves to the position shown in Fig. 6, at the same time rocking the pivotal member 34 and causing the inking roller 17 to come intocontact with an ink distributing plate which forms part of the inking mechanism. The roller 17 is shown as directly mounted in a spring bearing 38 at the end of'a pivoted arm 39 yieldingly connected by means .of a spring 40 with the member 34, so that the printing.

roller has a yielding contact with the print: ing plunger as well as with the ink distributing plate. The tension of the spring '40 may be regulated by means of an adjusting stop screw 41 as best shown in Figs. 4 and 6.

I have shown the ink distributing device as consisting of a series of distributing disks 42, 43, and 44, connected together by gears 45, the said disks overlapping and. lying in contact with each other, the disk 42 at one end being adapted to distribute the ink directly to the inking roller 17 while the disk 44 at the other end, receives ink from a roller 44 which in turn receives ink from a roller 44 which lies in a reservoir 47. The said roller 44 is adapted to be driven by beveled gears 48 and 49 the former being connected with the shaft 50 having a ratchet wheel 51 which is moved step by step through the agency of a pawl 52 connected with an arm 53 sleeved on the shaft 50. The said arm 53 is connected by means of a link 54 with the reciprocating member which carries the punches, so that at each operation, the arm 53 is moved, carrying with it the pawl 52 and causing a partial rotation of the shaft 50.

The feed of the carrier which takes place during the last part of the return movement of the reciprocating punch member is provided for by a ratchet action, the annular carrier being provided along its inner periphery with teeth or shoulders which are adapted to be engaged by a pawl 56 which is moved backward during the first part of the active stroke of the plunger member, so as to come into feeding position behind a tooth, and afterward is moved forward to push the carrier during the last part of the return movement of the plunger, after the operations on the tags have been finished. As herein shown, the pawl 56 is pivoted on an arm 57 which in turn is pivoted at 58 on a cross member-or support 59 secured to the interior of the annular-frame adjacent to the guides on which the reciprocating member is mounted.

- The pawl 56 is provided with a spring 60 which tends to hold it against the inner periphery'of' the carrier, and the-arm 57 is connected by a link 61 with a dog 62 which is also pivoted at 68 to the support 59 and provided with a spring 64 which tends to rock the upper portion 65 of said dog into a position where it is capable of being engaged by a co'iiperatingdog 66 which is pivoted at 67 on the. reciprocating frame 12. As the frame 12 nears the end of its upward movement, the end 65 of the dog 62 is caused as will be further described to engage in a recess 68 in the face of the dog 66, and in the continued upward movement of the reciprocating member the said dog 62.will be rocked on its pivot against the stress of the spring 64 thus acting through the link 61 on the arm 57 and moving the pawl downward to its position shown in Fig. 1, from the position shown in Fig. thereby moving the carriage the necessary distance, As the frame starts downward for the next operation, the spring 64 acts as shown in Fig.

7 to restore the pawl to the position where it is ready for the next feed movement, the dog 62 then being arrested by the stop 63; and as the frame 12 continues its downward movement the" dog 66 passes out of engagement with the dog 62, as shown in Fig. 7.

The dog 66 is acted upon by a spring 69 which tends to hold'itin the position shown in Figs. 7 and 8, in which it is entirely out of the path of the dog 62. In order, therefore, that it may be thrown into engagement with the dog (52 for the purpose of feeding the carrier, in the upward movement of the frame 12, it is adapted to be engaged by a wedge shaped member 70 which in the normal operation of the machine lies in the po-' sition shown in Figs. 1 and 7. In this position the surface of said member 70 is in the path of a stop or projection 71 which is on the dog (36, the position of said stop 71 being such that in the upward movement of the frame 12 from the position shown in Fig. 7 to that shown in Fig. l, the stop 71 rides along the curved surface of the member 70 thus bringing the recess 68 into engagement with the upper portion of the (log 62, as shown in Fig. 1, so that in the final upward return movement of the frame 12, the dog (32 is rocked in such a way as to move the pawl 56 the distance required to advance the carrier a distance equal to the space between adjacent pockets.

By the construction above described it will be seen that the feed movement occurs during the latter part of the return movement of the reciprocating frame 12, so that the feed takes place after the plungers have receded from the pockets.

The above described mechanism affords a very simple means for disconnecting the feed mechanism entirely from the reciprocating frame in case it is desired to use the machine for printing only, i. e. in case it is desired to make marks directly on the goods instead of aiiixing and printing tags. For this purpose it is only necessary to provide means for moving the wedge shaped stop. 70 out of the path of the stop 71'on the dog 66; and in the construction shown the said stop is mounted on a rod 72 which is longitudinally movable in the bearing 73 in the frame and provided with a handle 74 for the purpose of moving it.

By reference to Fig. 8, it will be seen that by lifting the stop 70 to the position shown therein, it will no longer be engaged in the reciprocating movement of the frame 12 by the stop 71, and the dogs 62 and 66 under the influence of their springs will remain respectively in the positions shown in Fig. 8, so that they do not come into engagement with each other throughout the entire operation, the consequence being that no feed of the carrier takes place.

While it is obvious that the printing plunger can be provided with any suitable means for. interchanging the characters which are to be printed I have shown in Figs. 13 and 14 a modincation in which I have rovided the machine with a. plurality of prlnting plungers arranged around the axis on which the plunger is moved for the purpose of inking the printing surface, and I have provided means whereby the plunger members can be moved about the axis of oscillation independently of each other, and also independently of the previously described automatic rocking motion.

Referring to Fig. 13, a plurality of plunger-s each the equivalent of the plunger 16 are arranged radially around the axis of the operation of the machine, I have shown the said member as sleeved on the shaft :28.

which has the stop 32 and as held in wha ever position may be desired by means of a spring actuated arm 75 pivoted at 76 at the end of an extension 77, which in turn is faston the shaft 28 as best shown in Fig. 13. The said arm engages two adjacent plungers 74 so as to lie between them as shown in Fig. 9,.thus holding all the plungers stationary with relation to the shaft 28 so that the entire set of plungers turns in response to the inking mechanism, bringing the plunger which is in use into contactwith the inking roll and then restoring it to the printing position. The arm 74, in this construction, is substituted for the stop 32.

In shifting the plungers for the purpose of bringing the desired plunger into position, the stops 31 are arranged to be moved out of the way of .the arm 74: the said steps 31 as previously described being pivotally supported at 31' and connected by means of rods 78, Fig. 3, with a sliding support 79 which is mounted in the top of the machine and provided with a slot 80 in which lies an eccentric 81 mounted onqa shaft 82 having an actuating button or handle 83, Fig. 4. As clearly shown in Fig. 3, the turning of said button 83 will raise or lower the slide 79, the raising of said slide rocking the stops 31 on their pivots and withdrawing them from the path of the stop 32 so that the wheel can be rotated to any desired position. Whether changes are to be made in the printing characters or not, this affords provided, as indicated at 84, Fig. 13, with a recess to receive removable type.

A great many combinations-may be made,

however, with permanenttype at the ends of the plungers by making the entire set of plungersin the form of a series of indeing arm 75 is employed for each disk, so

that each disk can be moved independently of the others in changing the combinations.

By this expedient, a large number of sets of goods can be provided for with a perma nent printing character at the end of each plunger member, since a great many combinations can be made by changing the relative positions of the independent disks.

As a matter of convenience in changing the combinations, I have provided the machine with a movable stop 85, Figs. 13 and 14,-which can be moved into the path of any one of the separate disks so as to hold the said disk stationary; and then with the stops 31 moved out of the way, the arm 77 can be moved while the yielding stop 7 5 slips past the disk which is stationary the desired distance to bring the character wanted into the right relation with said arm. The stop for the disks is movable laterally, so that after one disk has been properly positioned, the said stop can be moved into engagement with another disk which then can be set in the same way. After all'the disks have been independently set by this expedient, the yielding arm can be restored to the normal position so that the machine is ready to be operated.

If it were assumed, for example, referring to Fig. 13, that one of the characters on the plunger marked 16, which is the plunger in operation, is to be replaced by a character on the same disk which forms part of the plunger marked 16*, the stop 85 will be moved into the path of the disk which is to be changed and, with the stops 81, removed, the arm will be moved upward a distance equal to the distance between the arm 16 and the arm 16, so that the character 16 will then be in the same position relative to the arm 77 that was previously occupied by the plunger 16. The stop 85, is then removed and when the arm 77 is moved back and the stops 31 restored to their normal position the same plunger 16 will be in the right position to operate, but one of the characters on said plunger will be changed.

The operation can thus be performed by manipulating the arm 77 without separately handling the disks or touching the inked characters thereon. In the construction shown, the stop 85 is shown as a rod contained in a casing'86, and normally held by a spring 87 against a stop rod 88, as shown the said wedge can be moved longitudinally thereby lifting or lowering the anvil 14. What I claim is: 1. In a machine for affixing identifying tags, the combination with a rotary carrier provided with a pocket; of'means operatingon one side of the tag for inserting a tag in said pocket; means for advancing said carrier to a position Where the article to which the tag is to be afiixed is adjacent to said pocket; means operating on the other side of the tag for ejecting said tag from said pocket into engagement with the said article, and a reciprocating plunger movable in 5a directiontransverse to the axis of the carrier, and constituting the sole, actuating device for the means which operate on the opposite sides of the tag respectively.

2. In a machine for aflixingidentifying tags, the combination with a carrier provided with a pocket; of means operating on one side of the tag for inserting the tag in said pocket; means for advancing said pocket to a position where the article to which the tag is to be affixed is adjacent to said pocket at the outside of the carrier; means operating on the other side of said tag for ejecting said tag from said pocket; and a single operating device for the means for inserting and ejecting the tag respectively; and an aflixing anvil adjacent to the pocket at the outside of the carrier.

3. In a machine for affixing identifying tags, the combination with a rotary carrier provided with a plurality of pockets each of which extends through the periphery of the carrier; of a plunger operating from the outside of said carrier and adapted to insert a tag into a pocket from the outside; means for moving said carrier intermittently to advance the tags; a plunger operating from the inside of the carrier to enter the pocket from the rear and eject the tag and act upon the same; and a single reciprocating member to operate both of said plungers. v

4. In a machine for aflixing identifying tags, the combination with a rotary carrier provided with a plurality of pockets each of which extends through the periphery of the carrier; of a plunger operating from the outside of said carrier and adapted to insert a tag into a pocket from the outside; means for moving said carrier intermittently to advance the tags; a plunger operating from the inside of the carrier to enter the pocket from-the rear and eject the tag and act upon tags, the combination with an annular carrier provided with a plurality of pockets;

of means for feeding tags to said carrier; a

reciprocating frame adapted to be reciprocated diametrically with relation to the carrier between feed movements thereof; a shaping plunger at one end of said reciprocating frame adaptedto enter a pocket in the carrier'from the outside; a plunger also carried by said reciprocating frame adapted to enter the pocket from the inside; and a clenching anvil cotiperating with said second plunger.

6. In a machine for affixing identifying tags, the combination with an annular carrier provided with a plurality of pockets; of means for feeding tags to said carrier; a reciprocating frame adapted to be reciprocated diametrically with relation to the carrier between feed movements thereof; a shaping plunger at one end of said-reciprocating frame adapted to enter a pocket in the carrier from the outside; a plunger also carried by said reciprocating frame adapted to enter the pocket from the inside and affix the tags; and a printing plunger also operated bysaid reciprocating frame.

7; In a machine for affixing identifying tags, the combination with an annular carrier provided with a plurality of pockets; of means for feeding tags to said carrier; a reciprocating frame adapted. to be reciprocated diametrically with relation to the carrier between feed movements thereof; a shaping plunger at one end of said reciprocating frame adapted to enter a pocket in the carrier from the outside; an aiiixing plunger also carried by said reciprocating frame adapted to enter the pocket from the inside and affix the tags; a printing plunger also operated bysaid reciprocating frame; and means for reventmg the operation of said rintmg linger.

8. n a maciine for affixing identifying tags, the combination with an annular carrier provided with a plurality of pockets; of means for feeding tags to said frame; a reciprocating carrier adapted to he recipro cated diametrically with relation to the carrier between feed movements thereof; a shaping plunger at one end of said reciprocating frame ada )ted to enter a pocket in the carrier from t e outside"; a plunger also carried by said reciprocating frame adapted to enter the pocket from the inside; and a printing device operated in conjunction with said second plun er for printing the tag while it is being a xed to the fabric.

9. In a machine for aflixing and printing identifying tags, the combination with a ocket adapted. to receive a tag which has astening prongs as a part thereof; a plunger adapted to insert the tag in said pocket and upset the prongs; means for advancing said pocket to a position in which said pocket is adjacent to a clenching anvil for the article to which the tag is to be affixed; affixing plungers adapted to enter said pocket and eject the tag therefrom and to coiiperate with said clenching anvil; a printing plunger operating in conjunction with said affixing plunger; and a single reciprocating frame operating all of said plunger-s. 10. In a machine for cutting, printing and afiixing tags, which are in the form of a continuous strip of fabric having sets of laterally projecting prongs, the combination with a rotary carrier adapted to receive said strip of. fabric and hold the same on its periphery, said carrier having a plurality of pockets open at both ends, and being provided with cutting edges; of inserting and ejecting plunger-s movable diametrically with relation to said carrier, the upper plunger having cutting edges, and being adapted being adapted to enter the pocket from the opposite end and eject the tag; an anvil oooperating with said lower plunger; and a single reci rocating frame. adapted to operate both 0 said plunger-s.

11. In a machine for afiixing and printing identifying tags, having means for feeding a strip of fabric having laterally projecting prongs attached thereto, the combination with a rotary carrier provided with a plurality of pockets; of a reciprocating plunger adapted to enter said ockets from the outer periphery of the carrler, thereby forcing the tag into the pocket and upsetting the prongs, cutting edges formed at the edges of-said plungers and pockets respectively, to sever the tag from the strip; and

' means for advancing said carrier.

ting the prongs; cutting edges to sever the strip; means for advancing said carrier; and a reciprocating aflixing plunger adapted to enter said pocket from the inside of the carrier and eject the ta therefrom.

13. In a machine or afiixing and printing identifying tags, which consist of strips of fabric having laterally projecting prongs rier, thereby forcing the tag into the pocket and upsetting the prongs; means for advancing said carrier; an affixing plunger adapted to enter said pocket from the inside of the carrier and eject the tag therefrom;a printing plunger cooperating therewith to print the fabric in the operation of e'ecting the tag; and a single reciprocating rame operating all of said plungers.

14. In a machine for cutting, printing and aiiixing tags, which are in the form of a continuous strip of fabric having sets of laterally projecting prongs, the combination with a-rotary carrier adapted to receive said strip of fabric and hold the same on its periphery, said carrier having a plurality of pockets open at both ends and provided with cutting edges; of inserting and ejecting plungers movable diametrically with relation to said carrier, the upper plunger having cutting edges and being adapted to enter a pocket and thereby sever the fabric, insert it into the pocklet, and upset the prongs, and the lower plunger having clenching members adapted to eject the tag and clench the prongs; a printing plunger movable with the clenching plunger; means for swinging said printing plunger laterally in the reciprocating movement thereof; an inking device adapted to come in contact with the printing surface of said plunger when it is swung laterally; and a single reciprocating frame operating all of said plungers.

15; In a machine for affixing tags, the

combination with a rotary carrier adapted to receive and forward the tags between the operations thereon; two punch members adapted to perform saide operations; a feed pawl adapted to cooperate with said carrier in feeding the same, the said )awl being normally in position behind a eed tooth; a printing plunger cooperating with said punches; a reciprocating operating device common to said punches, and said printing plunger; and means carried by the said operating device for engaging said pawl, and causing the same to advance the carrier.

16. In a machine for affixing and printing tagswhich have fastening prongs connected therewith, the combination with a rotary carrier having pockets extending completely through its periphery; of means for inserting a tag in each pocket from the outside of said annular carrier; an ejecting plunger adapted to enter said pocket from the inside] of the carrier to eject and aflix the tag contained therein; a reciprocating printing plunger cooperating therewith; means operated during the reclprocating'movement for moving said printing plunger laterally into engagement with an inking surface and a single reciprocating frame for operating said insertin means, said ejecting means, and said printing plunger, substantially as described.

17. In a machine for affixing tags, the combination with a rotary carrier adapted to receive and forward the tags between operations thereon; reciprocating members adapted to perform said operations; a feed pawl adapted to cooperate with said carrier in feedng the same, the said pawl being normally in position behind a feed tooth; means carried by the reciprocating operating de-' vice for engaging said pawl and causing the same to advance the carrier; and means for preventing the pawl from being thus engaged.

18. In a machine for aflixing tags, the combination with a traveling carrier adapted to receive and forward the tags; of recipro-- cating members adapted to act on the tags between feed movements of the carrier; a feed pawl adapted to cooperate with said carrier in feeding the same; a feed (log on said pawl; and means connected with the reciprocating members for engaging and operating said feed pawl.

19. In a machine for aflixing tags, the combination with a traveling carrier adapted to receive and forward the tags; reciprocating members adapted to act on the tags between feed movements of the carrier; a feed pawl adapted to cotiperate with said carrier in feeding the same; a feed dog on said pawl; means connected with the reciprocat ing members to engage and operate said feed pawl; and means for preventing said feed dog from being operated by said reciprocating members.

20. In a machine for ailixing tags, the combination with a rotary carrier for the tags; of reciprocating members adapted to operate on said tags; a spring actuated pawl adapted to cooperatewith said carrier, the said pawl normally lying behind a feed tooth, in osition to move the carrier forward; a eed dog connected'with said reciprocating member and normally out of the path of said feed pawl; and a stop to cause said feed dog to move into contact with said pawl.

21. In a machine for afliizing. tags, the combination with a rotary carrier for the feed dog to move into contact with saidpawl; and means for moving said stop out meme? oi the path of said dog so as to prevent the dog and pawl from coming into contact with each ether.

22. Im a machine for afiixing midi printing 5 Mentiffying tags, the combination with e traveiin carrier; of afiixing and printing plungers adapted to eject, ciench and print each tag; an anvil and platen adapted to support the material to which the tag is tc be afixed; and means for vertically adjust- 10 ing the said anvil with relation to the pocket.

in testimony whereof, i have signed my name to this specification. I

CLTON W. BRO I 

